City of Armagh bid to hang onto top spot as Buccaneers chase them down, Old Wesley try to mount a charge for the top four, while Banbridge look to claw back UCC at the bottom end of the table.
Banbridge V St Mary’s College, Saturday 25th February, Rifle Park, 2:30pm
Banbrdige look to jump out of the bottom two spots, but Mary’s will prove no easy test at Rifle Park.
Well beaten last weekend in the Ulster derby, Banbridge look for better fortunes returning to home soil this weekend, four points behind UCC just five games remain if they hope to leave those dreaded bottom places.
St Mary’s on the other hand are ten adrift of the top four and look likely to finish mid table, but they are out for points and will look to remain competitive until the final day, never so never if Wesley and Highfield both slip up it’s for the taking
Highfield V City of Armagh, Saturday 25th February, Woodleigh Park, 2:30pm
City of Armagh hope to preserve their status as leaders of 1B as they have a long journey to Leeside to play Highfield.
Highfield remain in the top four having been knocked down a spot by Old Belvedere last weekend, that defeat will hopefully not cause a drop in morale for another crucial tie
Armagh look confident and composed in their bonus point win over Banbridge, back in the lead by a point over Buccs, they look to keep the streak going.
Naas V UCC, Saturday 25th February, Forenaughts, 2:30pm
UCC will look to add distance between them and Banbridge if they can get a win over a Naas side looking for a third win on the trot.
Naas put on a good show to topple Mary’s last weekend and will look to keep their winning streak going, a win could see them jump to sixth should Mary’s falter again this weekend.
For UCC they know what awaits them if they do not get points on the board to see the season out, every game right now is a must win if they are to survive in 1B having been a real force at the beginning.
Old Wesley V Old Belvedere, Saturday 25th February, Energia Park, 2:30pm
Two historic teams do battle at Energia Park, Wesley hope to get into the top four, while Belvo try to keep their momentum going.
Wesley slipped up at Malone last weekend and had to settle for a share of the points, with a late try getting them something from the tie, a loss and a draw in their last two has them a little off form coming into this tie but they have the ability to take the win.
Belvedere have won their last six games in a row and have been in tremendous form to now sit in third spot eying even greater riches in the table, they have been a well oiled machine and hope for another success to further increase their unbeaten run.
Buccaneers V Malone, Saturday 25th February, Dubarry Park, 2:30pm
In the late game on Saturday, Buccs look to try regain top spot in the table as they host bottom placed Malone.
Buccaneers dropped into second spot as their search for a bonus point against UCC last weekend came up empty handed, as a result just a point separates them and Armagh, by kick off they will have learned the core in Rifle Park but every game is a must win for Eddie O’Sullivan’s side.
Bottom placed Malone have a five point gap between them and Banbridge which can very easily be clawed back if they showcase their talent from the draw with Wesley last weekend, they looked strong and will be annoyed they never picked up what would have been their third win of the season.
Diarmuid Kearney
Diarmuid Kearney is a freelance Sports Journalist based in Co Kerry. He has more than 5 years experience covering domestic and international soccer for different media organisations, while also working for local and national print and digital organisations covering GAA.